Birder's Certificate Program

Take your birding skills to the next level! 

The Birder's Certificate Program (BCP), offered annually by Mass Audubon since 2004, is a key component in our ongoing efforts to provide the finest educational programs to the birdwatching community. 

In this 11-module program, you'll learn avian systematics, biology, field identification, physiology, behavior, vocalization, ecology, and conservation. Course goals include:

• Developing an ornithological knowledge base
• Contributing to the conservation of native bird life 
• Empowering birders to contribute to the scientific studies
• Encouraging collaboration between recreational birders and professional ornithologists

The BCP is equivalent to an undergraduate-level ornithology course; students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of achievement. 

Two Birder's Certificate Program options are offered: 

1. Complete Hybrid Program including online lectures and field sessions
2. Fully remote Online Lecture-Only Program

BCP Complete Hybrid Program

Members: $1,800 / Nonmembers: $2,100

Become a Mass Audubon Member 

• 11 Online monthly lectures
• 11 In-person monthly field trips
• Student comprehension will be evaluated through homework assignments and a supported independent study project
• Certificate upon completion, as well as a branded BCP binocular harness

Lectures will be held online using Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Microsoft Teams Link to log into the program in your confirmation. An email reminder will also be sent to you 48 hours before program start.

Field trips associated with each module will be carried out in Essex County on the Sunday morning following each lecture. Please note that dates are subject to change, due to weather and other circumstances.

2023-2024 Schedule

• Systematics & Nomenclature with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture:  August 19, 9:00 am-1:00 pm  
  • Field Trip: August 20, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Evolution & Speciation with Martha Gach
  • Online Lecture: September 9, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: September 10, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Identification with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: October 21, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
  • Field Trip: October 22, 8:00 am-12:00 pm 
• Anatomy & Physiology with David Moon
  • Online Lecture: November 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: November 19, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Feathers & Flight with Scott Santino
  • Online Lecture: December 9, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: December 10, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Feeding Ecology with Erica Holm
  • Online Lecture: January 20, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: January 21: 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Bird Conservation with Mass Audubon Educator
  • Online Lecture: February 10, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: February 11, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Migration with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: March 23, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: March 24, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: April 13, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
  • Field Trip: April 14, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: May 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: May 19, 8:00 am-12:00 pm
• Field Ornithology 
  • Online Lecture: June 8, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Field Trip: June 9, 8:00 am-12:00 pm

The hybrid Birder's Certificate Program is currently full.

Join the Waitlist

Please contact us with any questions or help with registering. 

BCP Online Program

Members: $750 / Nonmembers: $900

Become a Mass Audubon Member

• 11 Online monthly lectures
• Student comprehension evaluated through homework assignments
• Certificate upon completion

Lectures will be held online using Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Microsoft Teams Link to log into the program in your confirmation. An email reminder will also be sent to you 48 hours before program start.

2023-2024 Schedule

• Systematics & Nomenclature with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture:  August 19, 9:00 am-1:00 pm  
• Evolution & Speciation with Martha Gach
  • Online Lecture: September 9, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Field Identification with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: October 21, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Anatomy & Physiology with David Moon
  • Online Lecture: November 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Feathers & Flight with Scott Santino
  • Online Lecture: December 9, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Feeding Ecology with Erica Holm
  • Online Lecture: January 20, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Bird Conservation with Mass Audubon Educator
  • Online Lecture: February 10, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Migration with Bill Gette
  • Online Lecture: March 23, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Avian Vocalization with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: April 13, 9:00 am-1:00 pm 
• Breeding Behavior with Wayne Petersen
  • Online Lecture: May 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Field Ornithology 
  • Online Lecture: June 8, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

The online Birder's Certificate Program is currently full.

Please contact us with any questions or help with registering.